From Summer to Autumn

With only one more week left in August, it looks like summer is finally coming to a close. Overall, I would definitely say it's been a lot of fun, with plenty of warm sunny days and lots of great memories! After all, I got married this summer, so obviously it was a very special one for me! 

But alas, every year summer can only last so long before the leaves start to turn, the weather cools down, and the kids go back to school in the fall. Even though I'm no longer a student, I still very much enjoy the idea of "back to school" shopping, although for me, it's more like "time for autumn" shopping instead.

When I was younger, I used to beg my mother tirelessly for an entirely new wardrobe full of the latest styles every time we went back to school shopping. Now that I'm comfortable with the knowledge that having good style doesn't necessarily mean being trendy, I am much happier continuing to build on my more classic wardrobe by working in versatile and timeless pieces here and there.

Now, in terms of making an effortless transition from summer to autumn, it's important to know what to store and what to buy. 


Store
*shorts (denim, twill, cotton..pack them all away until next summer)
*brightly colored tops (anything in aqua, lemon yellow, coral, or magenta) 
*linen (linen pants, tops, skirts, and shorts..appropriate for beach weather only)
*swimsuits and cover-ups (no longer acceptable as casual wear)
*sundresses (sadly, as pretty as they are, you'll have to put these away until next year)
*sandals and summer hats (no need for straw hats and flip flops anymore)

Buy
*denim (medium to dark wash, least one pair of skinny jeans, and one pair of boot cut jeans)
*fall colored tops (oxblood, plum, hunter green, navy, mocha, black, and charcoal grey)
*prints (herringbone, tweed, nautical stripe, fall florals) 
*knit sweaters (relaxed, chunky, fitted...you can't go wrong)
*scarves and boots (cozy knits in fall colors and stylish yet functional boots in sturdy leather)
*jackets and blazers (perfect way to top off your look and keep warm as the weather cools)

Making the style transition from summer to autumn isn't quite as daunting as it may seem. Many pieces already in rotation throughout the summer can be adapted to the cooler weather by adding layers and accessories. 

For example, a blue and white striped summer dress can make for a stunning fall look when paired with the right accessories!

Similarly, that perfect summer chambray dress can be worn with a classic tartan cape to create an effortless fall look.

*Featured outfit combinations available from ModCloth. 

What To Wear: Rainy Summer Days

Rain. Most of the time, people tend to think of rain as an inconvenience or something that makes their whole day seem dreary. I can't lie and say I haven't woken up to a rainy day and wished I could stay under the covers until it passed. For all its 'inconveniences', rain really is a beautiful thing. It's a necessity of life and without it, we would be in serious trouble!
In the winter, dressing for a rainy day involves bundling up and carrying around an umbrella. In the summer, it's too hot to be all bundled up, so dressing for rainy summer days can be a bit tricky. You want to stay dry, but you don't want to feel hot and sticky with too many layers on in the warm, humid air. 

Dressing for rainy summer days generally consists of working with two basic pieces; an umbrella and wellies (or any kind of waterproof boot). These can be dressed up or down, depending on your style and the desired functionality of your outfit. 

For example, a simple dress in a modern print works as an effortless and chic look for a rainy summer day when paired with boots and a monochromatic umbrella. The outfit consists of only a few basic items, which all compliment each other to strike the perfect balance between style and functionality. 

Another great piece that tends to make an appearance on rainy summer days is the trench coat. This is a great, lightweight alternative to heavier coats, and can be dressed up or down to suit any occasion. As something that is both functional and fashionable, a trench coat works as the perfect topper to any outfit on a rainy summer day.

What's At The Top Of My Fashion Wishlist?

I am a 'list-girl' and proud of it! It might come off as a bit too hyper-organized some times, but it really helps give me peace of mind. One of the things I most enjoy writing lists about, is fashion! In fact, I've even got (please don't laugh!) a list of things that I hope to eventually add to my wardrobe that I've organized by month and stretches over two years. I call it my 'Shopping List'.

So anyway, today I want to share with you What's At The Top Of My Fashion Wishlist. I'm going to be limiting this post to only one item (I know, gasp!), but I will be including a couple of ways I've imagined styling it. So without further ado, here it is:

ALDO DRIZZONA clucth in bright multi.

I personally think that this clutch is beautiful! I love the turquoise stones and the bright beads! To me, this is one of those special and unique finds that you have in your wardrobe that you can use to punch up just about any outfit. One of the great parts about the clutch is that it's made up of many different colors, which makes it an ultra-versatile piece that you can pair with everything from blue, to green, to orange. 

Because the clutch itself is such a fabulous piece, I envisioned going fairly casual with most of the outfits I put together in my mind. 

The first one I put together here consists of classic jean shorts (American Eagle Outfitters), a bright pink cami blouse (Aritzia), chunky wedges (Steve Madden), and a mint statement necklace (Modcloth). Without the featured clutch, the outfit is still quite nice, but with the addition of the clutch, the outfit really steps up its game. The blend of textures (silk, denim, faux-snakeskin) with the brightly colored stones and beading on the clutch creates a very fashionable look. 




The second outfit I put together is also a variation of classic pieces, compiled very specifically to create a unique and fashionable look. The simplicity of the white tee, paired with rugged denim, pink heeled sandals, and a blue statement necklace provides an effortless look that highlights the intricate beading detail of the clutch. 

What To Wear: Beach Wedding

For the final installment of my What To Wear (Wedding Edition) series, I've put together a number of outfits designed to suit a beach wedding. One of the distinct features of a beach wedding is that it is completely outdoors. Surrounded by incredible views of the water, soft sand, and salty air, beach weddings can be some of the most beautiful, relaxed, and effortlessly chic ways to tie the knot.

       

However, just because the venue is on the beach, doesn't mean it's necessarily appropriate to wear a swimsuit and cover-up to the wedding! Given that the venue is in a more natural setting, you'll want to keep things casual, while still retaining the proper tone of such a momentous occasion as a wedding. Dresses and accessories featured in this post are available online from ModCloth.

First up, I've selected a beautiful watercolor maxi dress, paired with gold sandals, and a gold clutch in a shell-like shape. The colors of the dress reflect the blue/green hues of the ocean, while the pink adds a bright pop of color that is reminiscent of a sunset. With such a beautiful and bold dress, accessories in neutral metallic shades (like gold) compliment the look best.  

Secondly, I've selected an empire-waist floral dress, paired with white wedge sandals, and a bright pink coral necklace. The floral pattern of the dress is reminiscent of a tropical garden, while the pink of the flowers is complimented by the pink of the coral necklace. The laser-cut white wedge sandals are fresh and modern, while adding a glamorous flare to the outfit. 

Third, I've gone with a simple indigo blue linen sheath dress, paired with a gold leaf necklace, and floral print espadrilles. The dress itself is a simple design in a beautiful rich color reminiscent of the sea. The floral print on the wedge espadrilles is an exotic, tropical print that compliments the dress, while the gold necklace adds an element of sophistication and class.

Next up, I've selected a bright pink chiffon sheath dress, paired with rose-gold wedge sandals, and a mint statement necklace. The light, airy design of the dress is perfect for a beach wedding, while the rose-gold wedges and the mint statement necklace work together to complete the look.

Next up, I've selected a beautiful jade halter dress, paired with floral print wedges, and gold shell earrings. The rich color of the dress is reminiscent of the sea, while the gold shell earrings and tropical floral print wedges provide stunning accents to the look.

Finally, I've gone for a slight twist on a classic nautical look, with a navy and white striped dress, black wedge heels, and a bright yellow statement necklace. The specific design of the stripes on the dress create a natural hourglass shape, while the black wedge sandals add glamour to the look. The bright yellow statement necklace provides a fun pop of color that perfectly compliments the effortless nature of a beach wedding. 

What To Wear: Outdoor Wedding

We are officially in the heat of wedding season! If you happen to be one of the lucky individuals who has received an invitation (or many!) to a summer wedding, congratulations! Attending a wedding can be a lot of fun, and celebrating the love and union of two people is a joyous occasion! 

When it comes to figuring out what you're going to wear to the wedding, things can get a bit tricky. You don't want to look like a bridesmaid, and you don't want to upstage the bride. You don't want to be too formal, but you also don't want to look too casual. Then you have to consider things like venue and weather. Will the ceremony and reception be entirely outdoors? Is the forecast predicting rain? Even as a guest, weddings can be stressful! 

So, in the first installment of my What To Wear (Wedding Edition) series, I'm offering up suggestions for how to dress for an outdoor wedding. All dresses and shoes featured in this post are available at Le Chateau. 

First up, I've got a bright fuchsia pink dress, paired with pink floral pointed toe pumps, and gold dangle earrings. The bright dress in a classic shape is bold, without drawing too much attention, while the floral heels add a fun and feminine flare to the look that's perfect for a garden wedding.

Secondly, I've got a rich purple chiffon strapless dress, paired with white ankle strap heeled sandals, and a chunky pearl necklace. The look is very classic and elegant, with the richness of the purple dress being offset by the delicate nature of pearls and white sandals. 

Next up, I've got a metallic look, featuring a rose gold sparkle dress, gold wedge embellished sandals, and a gold evening clutch. The look is elegant without being too fancy, while the mix of the rose gold dress with the yellow gold accessories is modern and fun. 

Finally, I've got a bold play on a classic silhouette. A black dress, paired with bright pops of color like fuchsia pink plays to the excitement and fun of a wedding, while maintaining the sophisticated tone of the look. 

Considering the venue is outside, you're going to want to focus on simplicity with a twist, while always maintaining your own comfort. Low heels, preferably wedges are a good choice since you won't have to worry about them getting stuck in the grass. Classic shapes with fun accessories offer a fun twist on traditional styles. After all, you're at a wedding! So have fun!

What To Wear: BBQ Party Edition

Good morning! For everyone south of the border, I realize this post is a little late now that Memorial Day weekend has come and gone, although I'm hoping it will serve as inspiration for any future celebrations this summer. 

Summer is a great time to both host, and attend BBQ parties. Aside from the easy, breezy, simplicity of throwing on a dress, I thought I would put together a couple outfit suggestions that could serve as alternatives.

Outfit No. 1

The first look consists of a bright, relaxed-fit, sleeveless blouse, paired with denim shorts, a gold statement necklace, and bronze wedge sandals. This ensemble works textures (silk chiffon and denim) effortlessly, while allowing for movement and comfort. Some people are completely opposed to mixing metals, but I think it's perfectly fine as long as it's done right. In this case, the gold necklace and the bronze wedges compliment each other by giving the outfit a more dressed-up vibe, without looking too fancy. 

*Hair and Makeup: tousled waves and a coral lip.

Outfit No. 2

The second look consists of a brightly colored, patterned top, white jeans, a gold statement necklace (my repeat favorite!), and a bright bag. This ensemble plays a bit more with color, while keeping things fresh and cool with a pair of crisp white jeans. If you're looking for a more effortless, easy-going vibe, I would suggest rolling up the cuffs of your jeans to show a little ankle. In terms of footwear, I always suggest wedge sandals for outdoor events since you won't have to worry about getting your heels stuck in the grass.

*Hair and Makeup: side braid and bright fuchsia lips.

Color Profile: Purple

Purple is a color that I don't think gets nearly enough recognition. It's often associated with royalty, luxury, and power, and it combines the tranquility of blue with the fiery energy of red. Because it embodies such a perfect combination of primary colors, it is versatile enough to be worn by just about anyone (given the right shade of course!). 


Purple is a very strong color, so it tends to look best with an ensemble that isn't too busy. Depending on the shade, you can pair it with either silver or gold jewelry. The general rule is that lighter shades of purple, like lilac or lavender, work better with silver or white gold, while darker shades of purple, like violet or wine, tend to look better with yellow gold. If you're looking for a more sophisticated look, opt for pearl jewelry, which complements both light and dark shades of purple. 

Owing to it's versatility, purple is one of those colors that you can easily dress up or down. If your style is more casual, you can incorporate purple into your wardrobe with a pair of lilac jeans or a few cute tops. If you're not ready to commit to the color completely, I would suggest picking up some violet nail polish or even purple lipstick (I recommend going for something with pink undertones to avoid looking washed out). Purple can be worn by people with a range of skin tones and hair colors. People with warm skin tones generally look best in deeper, more vibrant shades of purple, while people with cooler skin tones look lovely in lighter shades of purple. 

If you're not wearing purple as the centerpiece of your outfit (so, if you're not wearing a dress that is!), I would recommend pairing it with either white or black. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can try out a number of more colorful combinations, since purple is complemented by quite a few colors. Aside from shades of blue, purple looks quite lovely when paired with yellow (try gold or lemon), pink (fuchsia or coral), or mint.